Trip 1 Day 5

Today was the last work day to complete the houses our teams have been building. The day started out with a trip to the “From Houses to Homes” out-patient clinic. This clinic was built in 2011 to provide medical care and dental care to the families that receive a home through the organization. For me this was a great experience because I study architecture and healthcare at Clemson University. It provided another worldview for me as I continue in my studies. After the tour, we traveled to our work sites and prepared to paint the interior and exterior of the houses. This was the first day that we divided the teams by university to work on the two individual houses. Clemson painted the upper house melon and Scranton painted the lower house red. I couldn’t believe that five days earlier only an empty lot was were each house now stood.

Lunch today was provided by the families that were receiving each house. We had chicken, rice and homemade tortillas. I am thankful that they shared this food with us and we ate inside the house for the first time. After we finished painting, the whole group gathered with both families and “From Houses to Homes” organization in a key ceremony. This was the greatest part of the day for me because I could see the gratitude and excitement from each family. During this time, joy came from the young girls that had previously prepared lunch in their new house. It is going to be a wonderful home for them tonight!

Kirsten Staloch

Joy. That is the only word that can express what this trip and these families have given me. I came here to help these families to have a better home, but as it turns out, they helped me as well. It’s been incredible this week to see how joyful and lighthearted these Guatemalans are. They never failed to welcome us into their home and to share what they had with us. Today the families that we built the houses for even made us a delicious lunch (which was much more substantial than the sandwiches we’ve been having all week). They never fail to show joy. The kids are always smiling and willing to play with us. Their situation says that they are poor, but their joyful expressions say they lack nothing. Even the workers that were with us always managed to find time to be goofy with us, and make us feel like we were long time friends. Tomorrow we return to America, where we’ll be surrounded once more by the distractions of cell phones, social media, school, careers, expectations, and “first world problems”. We always seem to have so much, yet never be satisfied. We are always stressed by the lack of a better career, the newest phones, the most friends, or the nicest car. Luckily this week these people have taught me to remember that joy is never dependent on our circumstances. Love is all we need, and it is freely given to us by our Heavenly Father through our loved ones, the sacraments, the Church, and His own love. This is what the Guatemalans have given me this week in exchange for a house, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

 

Peace through Christ,

                                Daniel Toro

Here we are, the end of the week – A time where everyone reflects on their experiences during the past few days. There are emotional goodbyes, giving of gifts, and, of course, lots and lots of pictures. Having gone on Guatemala Help Weeks last year, I was pretty familiar with the whole process. I’d say it’s pretty common on mission trips like this to be overcome by emotion on your first time – I certainly know I was. Think about it: You’re in a new place with new people doing new things and (clunkily) speaking a new language. Who wouldn’t have trouble taking it all in? One (of many!) reasons I decided to come back this year was to try to catch what fell through the cracks last time – the little things that slip by in the blink of an eye without any warning. Last year, I focused heavily on the differences between us and the Guatemalans – Their culture, their family structure, the poverty, etc. I don’t think there is anything wrong with noticing all of that – it’s human nature to notice differences first. This time, however, I tried to focus on what all we all have in common. Today during the key ceremony, both families came together to receive the keys to their new home. Like last year, we bought a ton of supplies and gifts for the kids (which they loved). This time though, I kept an eye on the parents. When Oscar handed them the keys, the question came to me “What if that was my mom and dad? What if that was me? Are we really that different?” Seeing that family come together, celebrating a joyous event in their lives, I felt like a light came on in my head. We are not different at all. There is no “us” or “them” – They are our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. As beings created in the image and likeness of God, we really are family – this is why we are called “children of God.” It is so easy to turn on the news from the comfort of our couch in our air-conditioned houses and see poverty in far-away places and feel sorry for the people. Who isn’t at least a little bit moved when they hear stories of refugees in Syria, or starving kids in Haiti? The real question is, how often do we read about the suffering of others and really suffer with them, the way we would if it was our own family in crippling poverty, or living in a warzone, or drinking polluted water, or facing discrimination and persecution? This is what Christ did when he suffered for us those many years ago, and this is what he continually calls to do – to see the poor and the destitute, the “other”, as our own families. Until we get past this “us” and “them” nonsense, we will never be able to see God. He’s right there in front of us, all around us, we just need to open our eyes.   – Steven Pasternak

Trip 1 Day 4

The fourth day of work is finished, and I cannot believe that we will be holding the Key Ceremony for the families tomorrow! Today, we visited the school before going to the work site and making/pouring cement for the floor of the home. The school, located in Santa Maria de Jesus, was absolutely beautiful and filled with happy, eager children in preschool through fifth grade. We walked around the school, taking in the colorful artwork, peaking in classrooms, and marveling at the stunning view from the roof. The waves and smiles from each child warmed my heart. Returning to the worksite, it was amazing to see how a plot of land was transforming into a concrete-walled home. Everybody had a great time joking with the workers while making cement for the floor of the home. During lunch, you could see how hard everyone has been working all week, as several students napped on sheets of metal or empty concrete
bags while everyone else had a great time talking to each other and the workers and playing with the Guatemalan children. It was clear that everyone has become one, big, united family. Later in the day, I was approached by two little girls from the family of the home I worked on today and had a wonderful time letting them take pictures with my phone. They were enjoying themselves so much that I was afraid that they may run off with my phone! Their smiling faces radiated genu
ine joy that was immediately passed on to me. I cannot wait to see all of the family members’ faces when they receive the keys to their new home and the handpicked presents. I am so thankful for this once-in-a-lifetime, eye-opening experience. It will be sad when everyone has to go their separate ways, but this is an experience that will forever be in our hearts.  – Helen Johnson

Trip 1 Day 3

Day 3 of working is completed, and I am in such awe at how much has been accomplished thus far. To be able to see how much we can get done in one day just by working as a team! My favorite Martin Luther King Jr, quote is: “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase” and I find that it is extremely applicable to this experience. I chose to come on this trip, looking to leap outside of my comfort zone. I have been on multiple service trips throughout life, and all were trips mainly about ministry of presence rather than building projects. I have always been skeptical of building service projects because I felt I was taking away the job of someone in that place who could use the money to help themselves and their families. This experience thus far has been the complete opposite of how I have thought in the past, and I couldn’t be more happy to be wrong. This trip is most definitely out of my comfort zone, but working alongside the Guatemalan crew members has shown me that I was wrong about the other part of building projects. We are taking nothing from them, but rather giving to them. We are helping them the best we can and interacting with them as if we have known them forever, and I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything! - Rae Hillery

The third day of work is already finished! I can’t believe how quickly the week is passing. Today, we finished building the walls. It’s incredible to see what started as a few rows of bricks turn into a stable structure. Before lunch, in the group that I was in today, Fernando and Edgar stacked the bricks and

the rest of us mortared them. After lunch, we finished the last row, which was made of u-blocks filled with cement. Once again, the Olympic games were held during our lunch break. Today, the game consisted of people tying cinderblocks to their feet and attempting to cross the finish line as quickly as they could. The event is called Blonkerton.  Steven was the winner! Unfortunately, the children weren’t as present today, but we did get to play with them a little over lunch. The two sisters, Jaime Melena and Fernanda Luise, loved watching Kishan dance to the music! We were all getting along really well with the Guatemalan workers. Instead of simply giving and following directions, we had more interesting conversations today, and everyone was joking around and having a great time. I love that we all have gotten to know each other as well, especially between the different universities. We definitely have a great team. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that it’s been a wonderful week so far. I’m so excited for tomorrow! I only wish it wasn’t halfway over already! –Alyssa Jack

Trip 1 Day 2

 Day 2 of house building has completed and I can’t believe how much has already been accomplished! From having only a foundation in the morning to laying 6 layers of cinder blocks, it’s easy to tell that all our hard work is paying off.  Together the Clemson students, Scranton students, Guatemalan workers, and families have become one huge family, constantly cracking jokes and enjoying each other’s company while doing something that will truly change the family’s life.  Serving for and with others is one of the Jesuit ideals that has shown through on this service trip.  The project would be impossible without the outstanding team work that we demonstrate.  At many points of the day I find myself in an assembly line passing buckets of concrete or cinder blocks.  Clearly we are serving FOR others by building a house for a family in need, but serving WITH others is what makes this trip special.  Without the help of my fellow students and the Guatemalan workers, there would be no way to finish a house in only 5 days.  My favorite part of today was spending time with the children (ranging in ages 2-5) of our family.  Yesterday the children were more reserved and didn’t really want to interact with us because we were essentially strangers intruding on their space, but today was a whole different story!  The children warmed up to us after lunch and even had a dance party with me and some other students!  They loved to show off their dance moves and then laugh hysterically at our attempt to dance.   It’s awesome to see how happy and cheerful the children are despite their less than ideal living situation.  Even though we are helping them out by giving them a safe and sturdy house to live in, I feel that I have already gained even more in return through observing their lives.  My hope for the rest of this week is to continue to work towards completing the house, but also to be present with the family and leave an impact on their life, even if it is as small as the memory of a silly dance party!

            -Margaret Mester

My favorite quote from Mother Theresa is, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” This quote is beautiful and so true because it genuinely symbolizes the ideal of what doing service for and with others is all about. When you think of doing service, it is not only about helping others, it is about something so much bigger. That is, forming a deeper connection with one another. Not only making it about the “work” but making it about the connection and spiritual bond between one another. We were accepted into these two families' homes from the beginning and it just exemplifies the idea that we are one- all children of God. We felt very welcomed from the start and that made this experience so much more enjoyable and easier to connect with the families on a more personal level. We are the ones truly getting the most out of this experience because the Guatemalans are teaching us so much and the idea of how you could have so little, yet be so happy. It's incredible how much happiness surrounds the people here. The Guatemalans are centered around their family and the idea of unconditional love. I think it is so beautiful to see a mother caring for her children and having a constant smile on her face while doing so. I truly saw unconditional love here between the mother and her children. This idea of unity and family is so special and it makes me appreciate everything I have including my beautiful family. I think we have learned a lot throughout the past few days especially how blessed we all are.

I was really impressed by the technique and plan the workers formulated in order to build these houses. It was so interesting to see all of the small details that goes into building that you don't even realize until you take part in it. The Guatemalan workers are extremely hard working and it constantly motivates us to keep going and inspires our work ethic. Not once did I see one of the workers complain or stop when they were tired; they just kept going and working even harder than before. It was truly amazing to see. Throughout the day we were able to play with the kids and that was so awesome because they instantly put huge smiles on everyone's faces. The children are so happy and love to smile and laugh. I've never seen God so much then in the eyes of these beautiful and innocent children. I am really excited to see what the rest of this service trip has in store for us. “Expect the unexpected.” –Taylor Ricciardi

Trip1, Day 1

“If you listen to your fear and give into it, you’ll surely die”- Frosty Henderson

My favorite professional surf guru said this line to one of his protégé’s and it has been something I have always tried to think of when making big choices in my life. I have been on service trips before, both internationally and stateside, but none of them have been anything like the Guatemala Help Week. I was scared to take a chance on a trip I knew so little about and would barely know any of the other participants, but then again, like Frosty said, “if we listen to our fears and give into them, we will surely die”. So I took a chance and went against my fears and I’m extremely happy that I did.  Today was day one on the work site, and everyone involved

worked all day without one complaint, as hard as they could. With our combined efforts, the Clemson and Scranton volunteers were able to dig out and lay foundation for two separate homes. The two families we are building for are neighbors, and very welcoming and friendly. It has only been one day of working, yet we have already accomplished much and made a major impact on various lives. The impact is not only made on the locals who we have been blessed to meet, but also with us, who are lucky to be in such an amazing place with each other. I truly can’t wait to see what the days to come hold for our group. I don’t exactly know what to expect but a few things are certain. We will have an amazing time, and help a lot of people who deserve it! - Sean Thompson

After a hard day at work, I’m just excited to see what comes next. What at first seemed to look like a random group of Scranton and Clemson students, family members, and local Guatemalan workers immediately turned into one big unified family. While the work that we had to go through was difficult on the first day, I definitely enjoyed the group’s cooperative efforts from all the students, family members, and Guatemalan workers; I was just amazed at the large amount of work we already accomplished. What I even enjoyed more is being able to spend time with the family during our lunch break and being able to interact with the little kiddies! While playing Fred’s version of the Olympic Games was entertaining, I enjoyed more being able to learn about the family members’ lives, even though my Spanish communication skills were not on par. The smiles on the children’s faces as I noticed while working is what makes me feel very content and keeps me going to work more. What at first was just a barren landscape of just dirt was soon filled with trenches and the first block layer of the house’s foundation by the end of the day. I just cannot wait to see until Friday when the house is complete and to see the family in their new home.  -Kishan Patel